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Once upon a time, a boy named Jack lived with his mother. They were very poor and very hungry. All they had was one old cow named Milky-White. 'Jack,' his mother said sadly, 'you must sell the cow so we can buy bread.' Jack walked to the market. On the way, he met a funny man. 'I will trade you for your cow,' the man said. 'I will give you... magic beans!' Jack traded the cow for the beans. But when he got home, his mother was angry. 'Silly boy! Beans for our cow!' she shouted, and threw the beans out the window. Jack went to bed with no supper.
The next morning, Jack looked outside. A giant, giant beanstalk had grown into the sky, all the way up to the clouds! 'The beans were magic!' Jack shouted. He was a brave and curious boy, so he started to climb. He climbed up and up and up. At the top, he saw a giant, giant castle. He peeked inside. He saw a giant woman. 'Please,' Jack whispered, 'I am so hungry.' The giant woman was kind. 'You must be careful,' she said. 'My husband is a grumpy giant, and he is very big! Quick, hide!'
Suddenly, the castle shook. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The giant came in. 'FEE! FI! FO! FUM! I smell a yummy little one!' he roared. 'Nonsense,' said his wife. The giant ate his supper, then took out a little brown hen. 'Lay!' he commanded. The hen laid a perfect, solid gold egg! 'Wow!' thought Jack. Soon, the giant was fast asleep. Zzzzz. Jack tiptoed out, grabbed the little hen, and ran. He climbed down the beanstalk as fast as he could. His mother was so happy! They were not poor anymore.
But Jack was still curious. He climbed the beanstalk one more time. He hid again. This time, the giant had a beautiful, magic harp. 'Sing!' he commanded. The harp played a sweet song, and the giant fell asleep. Zzzzz. Jack grabbed the harp. But the harp cried out, 'Master! Master!' The giant woke up, angry! 'FEE! FI! FO! FUM!' He chased Jack. Jack scrambled down the beanstalk. 'Mother, help! Bring the axe!' Jack jumped to the ground. He CHOPPED the beanstalk. CRASH! The beanstalk and the giant fell. They were safe and happy forever.